Press feed table

ABSTRACT

The press feed table in the form of a table structure having two table members at the upper surface thereof and adjustable legs supporting the same to mount wear plates which provide for the sliding movement of a die support shoe thereon. A simplified and single hydraulic actuator of the linear type will move the die shoe into and out of engagement with the press for a normal working and die changing operation.

0 United States Patent 1191 11 1 3,831,427 Lee Aug. 27, 1974 PRESS FEED TABLE 3,213,739 10/1965 Zingone 100/229 R 3,422,661 1/1969 Blackhurst 72/448 Inventor: Rwald Medfofd1Mmn- 3,533,586 10/1970 Chichester 248/188.1 [73] Assignee: Owatonna Manufacturing Co., Inc.,

Owatonna, Minn. Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-James Rv Duzan [22] Filed' 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Schroeder Siegfried Ryan [21] Appl. No.: 315,330 and Vidas [52] U.S. CI 72/448, 72/446, IOO/DIG. 18 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl B2lj 13/00 The press feed table in the form of a table structure [58] Fleld of Search 6 8 3 having two table members at the upper surface thereof and adjustable legs supporting the same to mount wear plates which provide for the sliding movement of [56] References and a die support shoe thereon. A simplified and single hy- UNITED STATES PATENTS draulic actuator of the linear type will move the die 2,410,694 11/1946 Tyler 100/D1G. 18 shoe into and out of engagement with the press for a 2,599,866 6/1952 Scherba 72/448 normal working and die changing operation 3,204,292 9/1965 Schon l00/DIG. l8 3,207,065 9/1965 Danly 100 010. 18 5 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PRESS FEED TABLE This invention relates to an apparatus for moving a die and a supporting die shoe relative to a conventional power press from a working position to a removed position to facilitate loading of the die and improve the safety and operation of the apparatus.

Power presses have previously been provided with separate carriages or bolsters for moving dies into and out of working position beneath a press. These have incorporated complicated mechanical structures for aligning the die beneath the press such as eccentric arrangements for elevating a die supporting structure or bolster on a track during the moving of the bolster into and out of position with respect to the press. In addition, prior structures have included separate carriage structures which require external guiding apparatus for positioning the same with respect to presses. Such prior structures have been exceedingly complex, costly and have required excessive maintenance with continued use.

The present invention is directed to a simplified press feed table in the form of a table structure attached to 'a press which slidably mounts a die shoe with the die thereon for moving the same into and out of working position beneath the press. The die shoe is guided on the table and in the press and the power means for moving the same is a simplified linear fluid actuator controlled by a limit switch for simplifying the power structure and improving the accuracy in positioning of the die.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved press feed table for moving a die into and out of a power press.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified press feed table requiring a single actuator for performing the working function of moving the die into and out of the press.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved structure which is relatively low in cost and easy to use and maintain.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached description together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a press with the improved press feed table showing the die shoe in working position within the press;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a press with the improved press feed table showing the die shoe removed from the press;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the table;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the table; and

F l0. 5 is a plan view of the press feed table.

My improved press feed table is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in connection with a press to show the orientation and cooperation therewith. Thus in FIGS. 1 and 2, the press is indicated generally at and is shown only schematically since it may take varying forms such as mechanical as well as hydraulic type presses. It includes a base structure 12 and a ram and a head member 14 which is moved relative to the base structure through suitable rams indicated generally at 16. The head structure carries conventionally one die part while the cooperating die part in a die pressing operation is carried or mounted on the base structure. Thus in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base structure includes a flat surface 20 upon which is normally positioned the die and supporting die shoe.

Positioned adjacent the press and adapted to move a die shoe toward and away from the same is a press feed table indicated generally at 25. As will be hereinafter noted, the press feed table is attached to the surface of the press and will slidably position a die shoe 30 or die support table member which is slidably moved back and forth on the press feed table to the flat die supporting surface 20 of the press on the base portion of the press to cooperate with the movable head for a die pressing, forming, or blanking operations.

As will be seen in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the press feed table 25 is formed of a plurality of depending legs 40 which are interconnected by horizontal cross members indicated at 42 and a pair of center cross members indicated at 44. The table structure is formed with three legs on a side and the cross members 44 extend across the end and center of the leg structure with the horizontal cross members 42 extending along the sides of the same or longitudinally thereof to hold the leg structure in an assembled relationship. One end of the frame structure has a press attaching plate 46 extending across the end legs in place of thecenter cross members 44 for purposes to be later noted. Positioned on the tops of the legs and extending along the sides thereof are two horizontal table members 47 which table members extend parallel to one another along the sides and have a width dimension greater than the width of the legs but allowing for a center. opening longitudinally across the table structure. Positioned on top of the horizontal table members are respectively a pair of wear plates 50, the wear plates extending part way along the longitudinal extent of the table structure from the extremity having the press attaching plate secured thereto; The wear plates have grooves along the extent of the same to minimize the friction surface thereof. The table structure is adapted to be positioned adjacent the press and adjacent the die area of the press such that the press attaching plate 46 and the legs connected thereto will abut the edge of the press. The table structure is secured to the press through suitable means such as bolts (not shown) extending through plate 46 and into the press base 12. The opposite end of the table has a rear cylinder mount plate 54 which mount plate extends across the width of the table structure being secured to the ends of the table members 47. This rear cylinder mount has suitably welded thereto a rear cylinder mount bracket 55 which bracket projects above the horizontal surface of the table members and the wear plates, as will be best seen in FIG. 4, and has suitable mounting holes 56 therein through which a tongue member 58 is mounted. At the opposite end of the table structure the press attaching plate has mounted thereon and suitably attached thereto as by welding a front cylinder support indicated at 60, the front cylinder support having a rectangular notch 64 positioned in the upper surface thereof. The rear cylinder mount bracket 55 and the front cylinder mount support 60 mount the cylinder of an elongated fluid actuator which extends along the extent of the press feed table. The closed or rear end of the cylinder has a clevis type mount structure 72 welded thereto which fits around the aligns with a tongue 58 attached to the bracket 55 through the mounting holes 56 therein. Suitable bolt means secure the tongue to the bracket and the free end of the tongue has an aperture therein which aligns with apertures in the clevis or bifurcated mount structure 72 on the end of the cylinder to provide for a pin type mounting therethrough to secure the rear end of the cylinder to the press feed table and allow some tolerance of movement for alignment with the die support shoe mounted on the table. The forward end of the cylinder rests in the U-shaped notch 64 in the front cylinder support and the shaft of the actuator 76 extends therefrom and beneath the die support shoe to be connected to a plate 80 mounted on the opposite side of the die support shoe. A suitable depending connecting bracket (not shown) on the under surface of the plate cooperates with a female rod end connector member 82 carried by the end of the shaft to secure the shaft to the die support shoe for the purpose of moving the die support shoe along the surface of the press and the press feed table toward and away from the press. The die support shoe is conventional and mounts a die 85 on the surface of the same, the shoe carrying suitable alignment pins 86 and pads 88 on the surface of the same to cooperate with the parts on the head 14 of the press for the purpose of aligning the die parts in a die forming operation. The die shoe mounts a pair of wear plates 90 on the under surface of the same and suitably connected thereto, the wear plates being generally rectangular and extending under the entire longitudinal length of the die shoe with a slight separation between the same at the center thereof to provide for spacing in which the cylinder body 70 of the actuator is positioned and allowing for sliding movement of the die shoe on the table support or press feed table. The wear plates 90 rest on the wear plates 50 of the press feed table and when the table is properly aligned with the press, the horizontal surface of the wear plates 50 will align with the base surface 20 of the press so that the die shoe with the wear plates beneath the same may slide between the wear plates 50 and the press surface 20.

At the base of the legs of the press feed table are positioned leveling pads 90 which are suitably connected to the ends of the legs to abut the surface upon which the table is mounted. The leveling plates or pads have leveling bolts 92 threaded between the same and allow for horizontal alignment of the legs and hence, the table members 47 on the top sides thereof with the wear plates 50 thereon to horizontally align the guiding surface of the press feed table with the base surface 20 of the press. Positioned on the sides of the press adjacent the ends of the press feed table are guide blocks 100 which guide blocks fit over the edges of the wear plates which extend slightly beyond the edges of the die shoe and guide the same as the die shoe with the wear plates 90 moved into the press and out of the press feed table. The fluid actuator is preferably hydraulic or pneumatic and when connected to the die support shoe will move the same longitudinally back and forth from a rest position or out position on the feed table wherein it overlies the wear plates, as indicated in FIG. 2, to a full in position, such as indicated in FIG. 1, wherein the die 85 on the die shoe is aligned with the cooperating die parts on the head 14 of the press so that a normal press operation may take place. The plate 80 at the connection of the clevis member 82 cooperates with an arm of limit switch or valve 106 at the opposite end of the die surface 20. The limit switch or valve will be operated whenever the die shoe is moved to the innermost position in alignment with the die parts on the head 14 of the press. A suitable control lever, such as is indicated at 110, is positioned beside the table and cooperates with suitable valving to control the flow of a fluid medium to the opposite ends of the cylinder for reciprocating the same with the limit switch or limit valve 106 operating to terminate flow through and into the cylinder in the in direction when the limit position is reached.

The improved press feed table enables an operator to stand beside the table and load material onto the surface of the die advancing the same underneath the press for the pressing operation through operation of the control 110. The die shoe with its wear plates will slide on the wear plates 50 of the table with the die shoe 30 being guided by the guide blocks mounted on the press frame to provide for reciprocating movement of the die shoe on the press feed table. The improved structure permits not only the loading of the material to be worked into the die and the removal of the same after the pressing operation but also an interchange of die members to facilitate operation of the press. The leveling structure on the press table insures for positive alignment of the press feed table with the press, and the mounting of the actuator on the table with tolerance of movement at both the cylinder and shaft extremities insures against excessive wear or breakage of seals in the actuator due to any misalignment of parts, thereby reducing maintenance costs. The improved structure simplifies the feed arrangement for a press and the operation of the same through a single hydraulic actuator in a simplified control circuit which requires a minimum of maintenance and is simple and easy to use. In addition, the simplified press feed table significantly reduces the cost of the feed arrangement for a press in that it may be readily attached to existing presses for usage.

In considering this invention it should be remembered that the present disclosure is illustrative only and the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A press feed table comprising, a frame structure having a plurality of depending legs and cross bracing between said legs, a pair of flat table members positioned over said legs and longitudinally aligned on the sides of the frame structure being spaced apart and having coplanar surfaces, a pair of wear plates positioned over said flat table members, said frame structure being adapted to be connected to a press adjacent the bed of the same, a slidable die supporting table member positioned on the wear plates of the frame structure and guided thereon, an elongated linear actuator positioned on said table structure and having a cylinder and a shaft, means mounting the cylinder at one end of the same on said frame structure remote from said press and supporting the other end of said cylinder at the other end of the frame structure, said cylinder of the fluid actuator being connected to the frame structure remote from the press through a movable type connection with the opposite end of the cylinder being supported by a yoke positioned on the frame structure adjacent the press, connection means connecting the shaft of the actuator to the die supporting table member at a point remote from said frame structure, adjustable pads positioned on the end of the depending legs of the frame structure remote from the table members to align the wear plates with the press bed, and switch means positioned in part on the press feed table and in part on the press and adapted to provide an interlock switch with a main control connecting a surface of power to the actuator.

2. The press feed table of claim 1 in which the slidable die supporting member includes a die shoe with the wear plates positioned beneath the same and separated to permit passage of the cylinder and shaft of the actuator.

3. The press feed table of claim 2 and including guide plates positioned on the press and engaging the wear plates on the die shoe of the die supporting table member for guiding the die shoe on the frame structure and the press bed.

4. The press feed table of claim 1 in which the means connecting the end of the cylinder and the frame structure includes a clevis permitting aligning movement of the cylinder with the slidable die supporting table member as it is reciprocated by said actuator.

5. The press feed table of claim 1 in which the limit switch means includes a member mounted on the slidable die supporting table member at a point adjacent the connection of the shaft with the table member for engaging a limit switch on the press to control and limit the movement of the actuator in positioning the die supporting table member in the press. 

1. A press feed table comprising, a frame structure having a plurality of depending legs and cross bracing between said legs, a pair of flat table members positioned over said legs and longitudinally aligned on the sides of the frame structure being spaced apart and having coplanar surfaces, a pair of wear plates positioned over said flat table members, said frame structure being adapted to be connected to a press adjacent the bed of the same, a slidable die supporting table member positioned on the wear plates of the frame structure and guided thereon, an elongated linear actuator positioned on said table structure and having a cylinder and a shaft, means mounting the cylinder at one end of the same on said frame structure remote from said press and supporting the other end of said cylinder at the other end of the frame structure, said cylinder of the fluid actuator being connected to the frame structure remote from the press through a movable type connection with the opposite end of the cylinder being supported by a yoke positioned on the frame structure adjacent the press, connection means connecting the shaft of the actuator to the die supporting table member at a point remote from said frame structure, adjustable pads positioned on the end of the depending legs of the frame structure remote from the table members to align the wear plates with the press bed, and switch means positioned in part on the press feed table and in part on the press and adapted to provide an interlock switch with a main control connecting a surface of power to the actuator.
 2. The press feed table of claim 1 in which the slidable die supporting member includes a die shoe with the wear plates positioned beneath the same and separated to permit passage of the cylinder and shaft of the actuator.
 3. The press feed table of claim 2 and including guide plates positioned on the press and engaging the wear plates on the die shoe of the die supporting table member for guiding the die shoe on the frame structure and the press bed.
 4. The press feed table of claim 1 in which the means connecting the end of the cylinder and the frame structure includes a clevis permitting aligning movement of the cylinder with the slidable die supporting table member as it is reciprocated by said actuator.
 5. The press feed table of claim 1 in which the limit switch means includes a member mounted on the slidable die supporting table member at a point adjacent the connection of the shaft with thE table member for engaging a limit switch on the press to control and limit the movement of the actuator in positioning the die supportint table member in the press. 